Proceeds to Benefit the Nehrling Gardens
Acquisition Fund

Win a one-week vacation in a house on North Captiva Island, Florida, located near Cape Coral/Ft. Meyers, in the Gulf of Mexico. Just bring your food, drinks, and bathing suit for a relaxing week on this secluded island getaway with 3 miles of white sand beach. The 4-bedroom/3-bath home sleeps 8 and offers spectacular views from a fourth level sundeck. Access to the island is by boat, so arrive in your own (an island boat slip is included), or come by boat taxi (round trip fare and marina parking is included).

The value of this donated prize is $2,400 and includes round trip boat taxi and parking at the marina if needed. Week must be used in 2008.

Tickets: donation $5.00 each or 5 tickets for $20.00.
Drawing Friday, May 9, 2008.

All proceeds go to the Nehrling Gardens Acquisition Fund. The purpose of the fund is to purchase the remaining six acres of Dr. Henry Nehrling’s historic home and gardens in Gotha, Florida in order to create a history, horticulture and environmental education center. The Henry Nehrling Society, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, manages the fund.

For more information call 407-876-9992.

Checks should be payable to the Henry Nehrling Society, Inc.

North Captiva Island, accessible only by boat, offers a look at Florida as it used to be. Located off the mainland from Cape Coral/Ft. Meyers, this secluded island isn’t for everyone as there are no streetlights or cars, although golf carts and bikes are available. The white shell roads are great for jogging, bike riding or walking, and entice you to explore this Gilligan-like island. There is a nature preserve at the island’s southern half.

All you need are casual clothes, with a light jacket and sweater for winter. Swimsuits are usually the dress of the day! You will also need to bring your own food and drink; however, there are three small restaurants, if you decide to eat out occasionally, offering local color and specialty dishes, including great seafood. There is also a mini-store in case you run out of basic food or other necessities. A couple of mini-boutiques offer hand painted items and some island clothing.

Island activities include swimming, beach combing, shelling, bird watching, walking nature trails, fishing and just plain relaxing. There are three miles of white sand beach for sunning and exploring. There are porpoises frolicking and feeding in both the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. There are boat rentals available for that “deep sea” fishing adventure or island cruising. There are over 100 species of birds and over 600 active gopher tortoise nests north of the preserve; you can explore the 350 acres of the state preserve and find even more.

The house, “Captiva Castle”, is four stories. The first floor consists of pilings and a storeroom, an outdoor shower and fish-cleaning tank. The front door is on the second level with foyer, center hallway, three bedrooms-one master bedroom with king bed and private bath, one with queen bed and one with twin beds and shared bath-which sleeps six comfortably. Two bedrooms open onto the back deck secluded among the trees. There is also a laundry room on the second floor. An oak staircase takes you to the third floor, which comprises the living and dining great room, with a large fully-equipped kitchen, a second master bedroom with a king bed and small bath; a screened tiled deck has patio furniture for dining alfresco. From the great room, there is a spiral staircase to a fourth level sundeck with a spectacular view of the bay, the other barrier islands, and the mainland. This upper deck is a great place to view the sunrise and sunset, while enjoying a cool drink.

The home has central air and heat, TV, VCR, satellite, phone, stereo, paddle fans throughout and is comfortably furnished. The extra large kitchen provides a dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, blender and coffee maker. Amenities include: adult bikes, fishing poles, crab traps, beach blankets, beach chairs, beach toys, a BBQ grill and a picnic table at ground level.

A copy of the official registration and financial information for the Henry Nehrling Society, Inc., may be obtained from the Florida Division of Consumer Services by calling Toll-Free (800-435-7352) within the State. Registration does not imply endorsement.